 |
| ▲ In this Associated Press file photo, shows Koo Young-hoe, the South Korean kicker for the Atlanta Falcons, after scoring the winning field goal over the New York Giants. (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Sept. 27 (Yonhap) -- Koo Young-hoe (34), the South Korean kicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the U.S. National Football League (NFL), scored the winning field goal that led the team to its first win of the season.
Koo attempted a 40-yard field goal in the fourth quarter of the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Monday (KST) with three seconds left before the end of the game.
 |
| ▲ In this USA Today file photo, shows South Korean kicker Koo Young-hoe celebrating with his fellow teammates after scoring the winning field goal, giving the Atlanta Falcons a 17-14 win over the New York Giants. (Yonhap) |
Koo's kick accurately dived between the two poles just as time expired, giving the Falcons a 17-14 win over the Giants and a first win of the season within three games.
Arthur Smith, who became the head coach of the Falcons this season, enjoyed the team's victory over the Giants.
Three seconds before the end of the game, Koo had a chance to score the final field goal in a 14-14 tie, and the kicker calmly succeeded ultimately leading the victory.
This is the first time for Koo to have scored a winning field goal in the fourth quarter or during overtime.
 |
| ▲ In this Associated Press file photo, shows Koo Young-hoe, the South Korean kicker for the Atlanta Falcons, hugging quarterback Matthew Ryan after scoring the winning field goal over the New York Giants. (Yonhap) |
Koo had been successful on 37 of 39 field goal attempts last season, breaking the 34 goal record set by previous placekicker Matt Bryant.
Based on this performance, Koo enjoyed the honor of being selected for his first All-Star berth in American football and earned a Pro Bowl nod in the NFL by sweeping the fan, player and coach voting.
The 34-year-old kicker who succeeded in renewing his contract with the Falcons, continued to showcase a stable performance this season, proving that last season's performance was not a coincidence.
Born in Seoul, Koo moved to the United States in sixth grade and after completing a four-year college, Koo signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017 and became the fourth South Korean native to play in the NFL.
(END)
(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved
